The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, in reaction to threats made by some Nigeri-Delta ex-militants to cause mayhem in Nigeria, has asked the Federal government and its security agencies to act to contain the ex-militants.
The former militants had threatened to unleash its wrath on TY Danjuma, a former Army General turned oil entrepreneur, giving him a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw his statement where he asked the ex-militant to refrain from threatening the peace of the country if President Jonathan fails in re-election bid.
The ACF, in a statement signed by it National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, on Monday in Kaduna, said it views such threats and intimidation by the ex-militants as an affront to TY Danjuma and an attack on a democratically elected Federal Government of Nigeria over which President Jonathan presides.
The statement reads in part: “It is also an open challenge to the Nation’s security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the State Security Service (SSS) and even the Nigerian military that are responsible for maintaining law and order and any form of internal and external aggression against Nigeria.
“The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum ACF has been drawn to the statement credited to the Niger Delta ex- militants in the persons of Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, Mr. Victor Ben Ebikabowei aka. Boy Loaf, and Government Ekpemupolo aka. Tompolo that ‘President Jonathan’s victory in the 2015 Presidential elections is not negotiable and should Jonathan lose, it would be seen as direct attack on the Ijaw nation’.
“They also threatened to unleash violence on the country and take back the Niger Delta oil.
“In reaction to this irresponsible statement by the ex-militants, notable Nigerians including Gen. TY Danjuma, a patriot and one of the most respected Northern leaders, who cherish the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria as a united entity condemned in strong terms this reckless and unwarranted threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria by the ex-militants. In fact, Gen. Danjuma called for the arrest of the ex-militants for making such provocative and inflammatory statements and maintained that the unity of Nigeria cannot be negotiated.
“This statement is what is expected of an elder statesman and government officials who have sworn to protect and defend the unity of Nigeria.
“Most unfortunately, the threat was made by the Ijaw ex-militants in the presence of a democratically elected governor of Bayelsa state, Rt. Hon. Serieke Dickson and the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Mr. Kingsley Kuku. Sadly too, there have been a deafening silence on the part of the Federal Government and the security agencies.
“This has encouraged the militants to further issue a direct threat to Gen. Danjuma by giving him a seven day ultimatum to withdraw his statement or face their wrath.
The threat to attack the business outfits of Gen. Danjuma in the Niger Delta by another group of militants for rightful condemnation of their polity reeks of lawlessness and therefore not acceptable.
“ACF and indeed all Nigerians hold Gen TY. Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister in high esteem, as a revered patriot, elder statesman and a philanthropist of repute who fought for the unity of Nigeria and has continued to play this fatherly role even in his old age. ACF will therefore not accept any threat to his person or business assets or to any law abiding citizen by any group or individuals in the name of militancy.
“ACF wishes to remind the Niger Delta militants that President Jonathan did not ascend to his present position through threats and intimidation, but rather through democratic means of canvassing for votes without any form of molestation throughout the length and breath of Nigeria in 2011.
“The same process the President and other candidates vying for the office shall go through to emerge as Nigeria’s President in 2015 and not through intimidation, threats and ultimatum.
“ACF hereby calls upon the Federal Government to urgently take necessary steps and contain this emerging threat to national security by Niger Delta ex- militants to avert any ugly consequences.”
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